Page 213 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
DISTRIBUTION Across Canada (except the far north), northern and western
United States, Europe, and northern Asia
HABITAT Low to high-elevation grassy habitats, prairies, steppes, roadsides,
forest clearings, and subalpine meadows
HOST PLANTS Grasses, including Poa spp., Festuca spp., Stipa spp.,
and Bromus spp.
NOTE Caterpillar that blends in well on its host grasses
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1⅜ in (30–35 mm)

CATERPILLAR LENGTH
⅞–1 in (23–25 mm)
COENONYMPHA TULLIA
OCHRE RINGLET 211

(MÜLLER, 1764)

The cream eggs of the Ochre or Common Ringlet are laid
singly on grass stems or blades, and the caterpillars hatch after
six days. The larvae are extremely well camou aged, with green,

longitudinal stripes that blend perfectly with grasses. A small
proportion of caterpillars in some populations are brown, which
may occur as a result of drier conditions and frequently senescing

grasses. The larvae develop through four or ve instars. Most
do not construct nests, but late summer caterpillars build loose
silken shelters before dormancy in which they overwinter.

There are four or five instars, and development from egg to
pupa takes between 40 and 60 days depending on temperature. The Ochre Ringlet caterpillar is green with a bluish
An adult female may have one to three broods a year according cast and a lightly white-speckled appearance. Two
tails at the tip of the abdomen are pale peach, and
to location. Males patrol all day for females, moving with a a white lateral stripe is prominent. There are several

characteristic bouncing ight. Both sexes visit owers for nectar. obscure to distinct, narrow, pale white dorsolateral

stripes along the body.
In warmer, drier areas, adults have a summer reproductive
dormancy to avoid laying eggs in conditions that would be
unsuitable for caterpillar survival.

Actual size